Elected as the third best training centre in France last season, Olympique Lyonnais have proven to be an inexhaustible talent production factory.
Talent is just waiting to explode at the Tola Vologe training centre, home to seven-time Ligue 1 champions http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130. However, despite a policy that is geared towards developing youth (since 2011) by Remi Garde, Les Gones youngsters have little
time to make a breakthrough in Ligue 1.
Due to this, many youngsters have been sent into exile despite showing a lot of promise at the start of their respective careers.
Bernard Lacombe, Florian Maurice, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Karim-Benzema-c20350 and a host of other players trained at the Tola Vologe and made a big name for themselves in some of the best sides in Europe. These players made a mark on the rich history of the Rhone club and
like their illustrious predecessors, a new generation is hoping to do the same.
A few years ago, especially during the reign of Claude Puel, the youngsters of the club were not given a lot of chances. However, thanks to the arrival of Remi Garde and the financial constraints, the Tola Vologe burst into life.
Being the technical director of the training academy, Remi Garde knew what kind of talent he had at his disposal. And now, with the club unable to rub shoulders with the likes of PSG and Lille in terms of financial prowess, the club has given a more serious
look to its own academy players.
Last season, it was http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexandre-Lacazette-c4895 who turned out to be a revelation for Les Gones as he ended the campaign with 10 goals from 43 games. This season, the young striker has already made two starts in three games and clearly, the 21-year-old will play
a big role for Remi Garde’s side.
Same goes for Samuel Umtiti who stepped in the centre of the defence last year. The 18-year-old effectively displaced club icon, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dejan-Lovren-c10779.
With 77 Ligue 1 games since his debut back in the 2009/2010 season, Maxime Gonalons has already established himself as one of the most integral components of the starting XI. Just like Gonalons, Clement Grenier has shown that he can be a good replacement
for an inconsistent and injury prone http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 international out injured for a long time, Garde will rely on the services of Grenier.
There is a lot of hustle and bustle inside the Tola Vologe these days and the Lyon academy will definitely keep on producing talented players who will match the achievements of their predecessors.
Furthermore, with their financial woes, Olympique Lyonnais have no option other than casting their lot with the academy players. A few people have said that drafting youngsters in the first team so early in their careers might prove hazardous for their development.
However, a few players are bound to come good from this process especially if the club is no longer a financial power in the league.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions in this article are of the writer’s own and do not reflect the editorial policy of bettor.com.
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